Full scare ahead

Start planning now for these Halloween bashes

September 15, 2009|By Julia Borcherts and Julia Borcherts is a Metromix special contributor.

Oct. 31 is still well over a month away, but that doesn't mean it's too soon to start scaring up Halloween plans. Tickets are on sale now (unless otherwise noted) for these eight bashes, all of which sold out last year or are expected to sell out this year. Get planning now, so you don't find yourself all dressed up with no place to go.

Halloween Bash

Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-489-3160.

Take a fright turn into tribute-land as local bands impersonate classic rock, pop and punk groups. This year's lineup is still TBA, but past impersonate-ees have included Alice Cooper, the Cramps, Boy George, Michael Jackson and ZZ Top.

When: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 30

Tickets: $12 at doubledoor.com

Devil's Night

House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St. 312-923-2000.

Demons are a ghoul's best friend when celebrity DJs Sasha and Hernan Cattaneo spin black magic at this 18-and-over party. This bash is new this year, but Sasha's appearance at HOB last October sold out a week in advance.

Attend a not-so-gruesome twosome at this South Loop club, which has regularly sold out ticketed Saturday events since opening earlier this year. Break out the bell bottoms for Friday's Soul Train-themed bash featuring DJ Mick Boogie, whose collaborators include Jay-Z and Eminem. On Saturday, dress up and get down to dark and stormy tunes from resident DJ Timbuck2.

At last year's annual trick-or-treat show, the local hip-hop artist -- dressed in black and white with a top hat and cane -- announced he'd retire after the completion of a three-disc CD (later revised to three individual CDs, all forthcoming). This year's tricks and treats are still under wraps but are no less anticipated.

When: 8 p.m. Oct. 29

Tickets: $30 at congresschicago.frontgatetickets.com

House of Horrors

Enclave, 220 W. Chicago Ave. 312-654-0234.

Rumor had it this River North club would be forgoing its transformation into a haunted house this Halloween, but never fear: It's on after all. Plan to work your wicked look at the fifth annual boo-tylicious dance party, featuring hosted cocktails from 8-10 p.m.

When: 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Oct. 31

Tickets: $20, on-sale this week at neptix.com

Music Box Massacre V

Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-6607.

Don your costume -- or your pajamas -- and step into the dim unknown at the fifth annual 24-hour movie marathon, which features "Re-Animator," "Carrie," the Midwest premiere of Bruce McDonald's "Pontypool" and more, with vintage trailers, horror celebrity appearances and other things that go bump in the night.

When: Noon Oct. 10-noon Oct. 11

Tickets: $27 at musicboxtheatre.com

Halloween Show

Reggie's Rock Club, 2109 S. State St., 312-949-0121.

Vamp it up -- and sip themed drinks -- with Nevada punk band Cobra Skulls and local bands the Hallow, the Scissors and the Kobanes. Tickets are expected to sell out shortly after the headliner -- hint: a band from Wyoming -- is announced Oct. 1.

When: 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Oct. 31

Tickets: $12 at recordbreakers.net/rockclub/index.shtml

X-ecutioner's Ball

Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn St. 312-266-1944.

Come as you aren't to the eighth annual two-night costume party at this reputedly haunted club, known for drawing costume overachievers. Whether you choose to arrive as a zombie, dead celebrity or just your drop-dead-gorgeous self, keep in mind that costume contest winners take home a collective $10,000 in cash and prizes.